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Labour Decline Mayor's Offer

Labour have turned down the offer to be part of the newly elected Bristol Mayor's Cabinet.

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Labour reject Ferguson's seats

Bristol's newly-elected Mayor has appealed to Labour councillors to take up his offer of seats on the city's cabinet.

George Ferguson wants to spread the top jobs among each of the main parties, but Labour's National Executive overruled a local decision to do so and has told Councillors aligned with the party not to join in.

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Labour council leader quits over 'flawed' cabinet decision

Announcing his resignation, the leader of the Labour party in Bristol, Peter Hammond said:

Earlier today (Sunday) the Labour Party announced that they were not prepared to endorse a proposal from Bristol’s Labour councillors to take up the offer of three seats (out of six) in George Ferguson’s cabinet. As a loyal member of the Labour Party I must and will abide by that decision however flawed I think it is.

– Peter Hammond, Former leader Bristol Labour Party

The announcement came after the Labour party rejected the offer from George Ferguson of seats in his new council cabinet. A decision that left Bristol's new Mayor 'bemused'.

Mr Ferguson was elected as an Independent earlier this month and hopes to put together an all-party coalition. He says he will leave the seats empty for a week to see if Labour Officials change their minds.

Bristol South MP says Labour party decision 'entirely correct'

I believe this decision is entirely correct. Disappointing as it was, Labour did not win the election on the 15th November. The people of Bristol will expect the Mayor to be able to get on with his job and be accountable for his decisions.

Cross-party working with The Mayor, as important as that will be, is not dependent on holding Cabinet places."

– Dawn Primarolo, Labour MP for Bristol South

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Labour decline offer to be part of Bristol Mayor's Cabinet

The Labour party has turned down the offer of Cabinet places from the recently elected Independent Bristol Mayor.

After further careful consideration and after listening to a wide range of views across Bristol, and the wider Labour Party, we have decided not to enter the cabinet.

We will support the Mayor when we agree with his decisions, and we want to be free to offer constructive alternatives when we believe a better solution is available.

We will continue as a Labour Party to work with the local communities we represent, and to do our best for the people of Bristol."

– South West Labour Party spokesperson

Helen Holland turns down Deputy Bristol Mayor role

The former leader of Bristol City Council has turned down an offer to become Deputy Bristol Mayor. George Ferguson said on twitter it was because of 'family reasons' and he wished the Labour councillor his 'very best'.

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